Ethan Hawke

The CFDA Awards--aka fashion's Oscars--are upon us. But unlike the Oscars, where celebs tend to play it safe and throw on a strapless fish-tail number, the CFDA red carpet tends to be a bit more interesting, a bit more risky. These are fashion people trying to impress other fashion people, after all. So with that in mind, take a look at what everyone from Hillary Clinton to Jessica Chastain wore tonight.

The 2013 CFDA awards, fashion's Oscars if you will, will be handed out in mere hours. The industry has been gathering to recognize and honor its leading talents since 1981. A lot has changed since the early years of the awards. What was once a small intimate industry event is now a widely covered celebrity event. "I think it reflects a broader shift over the last few years where fashion has become more and more popular," Style.com's editor in chief Dirk Standen told us. "The internet has had a lot to do with that. It's entertainment on a par with movies and music." So to prep you for tonight's awards we've assembled this handy primer. In it you'll find the complete list of nominees, our predictions on who will take home the big prizes, and all the celebrity presenters and attendees slated to show up.

Another pay-off from Anna Wintour's relentless Democratic fundraising efforts? The CFDA has just announced that former Secretary of State and scrunchie fan Hillary Clinton will attend next Monday's CFDA Awards to present Oscar de la Renta with the Founders Award. We've also exclusively learned the names of three other very exciting big-name presenters...